God and nature have thrown all human fortunes into the midst of mankind; and they are thus attainable rather by rapine than by industry, by wicked actions rather than by good. Hence it is that men feed upon each other, and those who cannot defend themselves must be worried.

Knowing how to fight made men more bold, because no one fears doing what it seems to him he has learned to do. Therefore, the ancients wanted their citizens to be trained in every warlike action.

Whoever is the cause of another becoming powerful, is ruined himself.

Human beings remain constant in their methods of conduct.

If an injury has to be done to a man it should be so severe that his vengeance need not be feared.

It is the duty of a man of honor to teach others the good which he has not been able to do himself because of the malignity of the times, that this good finally can be done by another more loved in heaven.

For this is the tragedy of man circumstances change, but he does not.